Measurement of the quantum efficiency of CsI, amorphous silicon and organometallic reflective photocathodes

We performed a systematic investigation of the quantum efficiency of some solid reflective photocathodes in the spectral range 140–240 nm. The measurements were made without gaseous amplification in vacuum and in methane. No significant difference was found among CsI photocathodes prepared by vacuum deposition at different institutes, either from powders or from crystals of different origins, and measured either in vacuum or in methane. Amorphous silicon photocathodes were prepared by the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique. We present the results for several doping conditions of amorphous silicon and for p-n junctions. Some organometallic photocathodes, containing iron or other transition metals (cerium), were evaporated and measured. Among them decamethylferrocene exhibits the highest quantum efficiency in the range 190–240 nm.